Beginning in August, the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta will bring the popular, award-winning musical “Les Misérables” to its stage in Dunwoody.

The show will run from Aug. 7 through 17 at the center’s Morris and Rae Frank Theatre, 5342 Tilly Mill Road, with ticket prices ranging from $15 to $29.

The performance is recommended for ages 14 and older.

Director Levi Kaplan said the show, based on the novel by Victor Hugo, became a huge Broadway hit and recently had a cultural revival with the release of the 2012 film starring Hugh Jackman and Russell Crowe.

Although the performance is usually known for powerful ballads and music, Kaplan said the center’s arts and culture performers and those working on the show have made a conscious effort to avoid “simply recreating someone else’s work.”

“Often times this show is a vehicle for ballads and notes but we’re more interested on focusing on the humanity of these characters,” he said. “The story follows a convict who steals to save his sister and how these actions bring on the downfall of another girl that he eventually tries to help, so we want to explore who these people truly are and what makes them tick from a humanistic point of view instead of copying the iconic, Broadway show.”

Kaplan said so far, rehearsals for the production have been going extremely well and he expects the show to really captivate the audience.

“Personally, I have a lot of friends who are really excited to see this production and I can tell you that this group of kids I’m working with is one of the most talented groups I’ve ever worked with,” he said. “I’m very surprised at how quickly everyone is picking it up and I feel like it is going to be a great show.”

Kaplan said he hopes residents will come out and see the performance in order to support the local arts community.

“Supporting the local arts is important because it creates a sense of community in addition to supporting education in the arts,” he said. “But beyond all of that, the audience can expect a very lively, entertaining show. These actors definitely will not just be standing on stage, belting out a ballad.”

For more information on show times and to purchase tickets, visit www.atlantajcc.org.

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